Evaluation of the Compliance of Evidence Based Medicine Resources Based on Ovid Criteria

Utilization of resources of evidence based medicine depends on quick and easy access to reliable databases, which meet different functionalities of a user interface, usability and technical issues. Given the importance of evidence based medicine resources in accelerating response to clinical questions, the present study is an attempt to evaluate compliance of evidence based medicine resources based on Ovid Criteria. This study is an applied work, which was carried through surveys and webometric methods between 2012 and 2013. The population was consisted of six evidence based medicine resources. Evaluations were done using Ovid criteria. The collected data was analyzed in SPSS (20) using descriptive statistics (frequency and frequency percentage). Findings indicated that resources of evidence based medicine obtained less than half of the total rating Ovid Criterion. In general, they were placed at 36.92% level and obtained 319 points out of 864. Therefore; compliance of all resources of evidence based medicine based on Ovid criteria was at the low level. Despite the fact that resources of evidence based medicine are aimed to provide rapid access to medicine evidence; the problems regarding satisfactory ease of use, effective user interface and observance of the technical issues were undeniable. Dealing with these problems successfully, leads to quick and easy access to the evidences by users. It is suggested, based on the findings, those experts of database design and public information need to pay more attention to the components such as search, service, display, links, guides or documentation.